Sorry I haven't been on much been MIA my dad fell and broke his hip in two places and had a rod put in.. I've been crazy busy running back and forth..It's all good I would do anything for my dad.. He is in a Re-Hab right now not liking it.. Its like a nursing home he is the youngest one there..He and we are in hopes he will be home soon....
We had a very nice Christmas with family and friends.. I still lots to take care of but doesn't seem to be enough hours in a day..
At the present time we have no snow and very cold.. It is only 19 out today and very windy with the wind chill its -25.. Cold..The dogs and nobody else likes it..
We built a new play area for pumpkin yesterday and its a place where she can go out and play some with out us worry about fox or coyote or any other animals caring her off...
Well hope all my family and friends are having a good day and I miss all of ya... God Bless
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Friday, December 23, 2011
Holiday treats.. Pictures...
Been very busy here at the farm.. I've been making fudge peanute butter and peppermint and cookings along with a snowman bread.... enjoy Good Bless..
This is the snowman bread not baked yet..
This is the snowman bread not baked yet..
This is the bread now baked
snowman bread with cookies and fudge around it..
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Living Letters
Hold your relationships tightly not lightly.
God is very deliberate about the relationships He puts you in. You're going to relate to different people in different ways, but each contact you make with others has a purpose-for you and for them. Don't take your relationships lightly.
What you say--to your family in the morning, your coworkers at the office, the clerk at the grocery store, and the friend on the phone--is important. Your words speak who you are. But don't overemphasize your words at the expense of your life.The truth is that the people you meet are more likely to see Christ in your actions than in your words.
The apostle Paul did a lot of traveling, and he wrote a bunch of letters (they're called epistles) to the people he visited. He compared the life of a Christian to a "letter of recommendation," written in the hearts of others.
Your lives are a letter written in our hearts,
and everyone can read it and recognize
our good work among you.
2 CORINTHIANS 3:2
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Orange Frosted Cranberry Cookies
Ingredients:
FOR COOKIES
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar , packed
- 1 cup unsalted butter , softened
- 1 teaspoon orange zest , minced
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
- 1 egg
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups fresh cranberries (or frozen)
- 1/2 cup nuts , chopped (optional)
FOR FROSTING
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon orange zest , minced
- 2 -3 tablespoons orange juice
Directions:
- 1Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- 2Spray several cookie sheets with cooking spray.
- 3FOR COOKIES:
- 4In large mixing bowl, beat granulated sugar, brown sugar, unsalted butter, orange zest, orange juice, and egg with an electric mixer on medium speed (or mix with a spoon).
- 5Stir in flour, baking soda and salt.
- 6Stir in cranberries and nuts.
- 7Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls about 2 inches apart onto cookie sheets.
- 8Bake 12 to 14 minutes or until edges and bottoms of cookies are light golden brown.
- 9Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack.
- 10Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
- 11FOR FROSTING:.
- 12In small bowl, stir powdered sugar, orange zest and orange juice together until smooth and spreadable.
- 13Frost cookies and enjoy!
Read more: http://www.food.com/recipe/orange-frosted-cranberry-cookies-324752#ixzz1gp2aqiW4
Puppy Chow mix...
This is one of our favorites at the holiday times...God Bless
Prep Time:
Cook Time:
Ready In:
Prep Time:
5 Min
Cook Time:
5 Min
Ready In:
10 Min
Ingredients
- 9 cups crispy rice cereal squares
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
Directions
- In a saucepan over low heat, melt the chocolate; add peanut butter and mix until smooth.
- Remove from heat, add cereal and stir until coated.
- Pour powdered sugar into large plastic bag, add coated cereal and shake until well coated. Store in airtight container.
royal icing recipe
Ingredients 
- 2 large egg whites
- 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
- Pinch of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 3/4 cups confectioners' sugar
- In a bowl, using a handheld electric mixer, beat the egg whites with the cream of tartar, salt and vanilla at low speed until foamy. Increase the speed to medium and gradually beat in the sugar. Continue beating until the icing is stiff. Use immediately.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Basic sugar cookie dough recipe
I really enjoy sugar cookie and look at this basic recipe you can do so much more with it... God Bless...
Orange slices make fragrant & pretty Christmas ornaments
I have a small tree as you entry the house and I'm thinking about doing this and adding whole cloves in mine... Enjoy God Bless
http://www.diylife.com/2007/12/12/orange-slices-make-fragrant-and-pretty-christmas-ornaments/
It was love at first sight: a humbly-sized Christmas tree hung with dried orange slices. This encounter took place on Saturday night, when I attended my town's annual winter festival. The tree had been entered in a Christmas tree decorating competition for local school children. The "orange tree" sure got my vote. What a pretty sight it made with all the Christmas lights reflecting brightly off the glistening citrus slices!
Later, I resolved to try it out for myself. If you want to have a go, you will need the following:
Step 2) Lay slices flat on a baking sheet. Use paper towels to blot away excess juice.
Step 3) If you like, gently rub ground cinnamon into the slices. Cinnamon makes them smell amazing. On the other hand, they won't catch the light as well. I made some with and some without.
Step 4) Bake in a moderate oven until dried. I found some wonderful baking tips at the Create a Prim website. This writer recommends laying the slices directly on the oven rack instead of on a baking sheet. She also suggests an oven temperature of 275oF for the first hour, then 225oF for two additional hours. If you prefer to use a baking sheet instead, the site Moms Budget recommends spraying the slices with non-stick baking spray. (I ended up putting mine on a baking sheet, but next year I think I'll take Create a Prim's advice and put them on the oven rack.)
Step 5) If you like, decorate the slices with glitter once the slices have cooled. Then, thread each slice onto a length of fishing line or ribbon. Now they can be hung on the tree.
If you liked this idea, just remember: dried apple slices make pretty Christmas decorations, too!
Orange and apple slices not only look beautiful -- they smell delicious as well! Be creative in how you use them. In addition to their most common role as tree ornaments, they can also be strung onto garlands, tossed into holiday potpourri, fastened onto Christmas wreaths, and arranged artfully on the holiday dining table.
Using dried fruits as Christmas ornaments is an old-timey tradition that's coming back into fashion. Why? They are simple to make, inexpensive, and naturally beautiful. As you hang them on the tree, think of your citrus slices as an antidote to the expensive and stressful shop-stravaganza that the holiday season has become. Enjoy!
http://www.diylife.com/2007/12/12/orange-slices-make-fragrant-and-pretty-christmas-ornaments/
Later, I resolved to try it out for myself. If you want to have a go, you will need the following:
- three or four large oranges
- a sharp carving knife
- glitter and/or ground cinnamon (optional)
- fishing line or ribbon
- a needle or a pointy-tipped knife
Step 2) Lay slices flat on a baking sheet. Use paper towels to blot away excess juice.
Step 3) If you like, gently rub ground cinnamon into the slices. Cinnamon makes them smell amazing. On the other hand, they won't catch the light as well. I made some with and some without.
Step 4) Bake in a moderate oven until dried. I found some wonderful baking tips at the Create a Prim website. This writer recommends laying the slices directly on the oven rack instead of on a baking sheet. She also suggests an oven temperature of 275oF for the first hour, then 225oF for two additional hours. If you prefer to use a baking sheet instead, the site Moms Budget recommends spraying the slices with non-stick baking spray. (I ended up putting mine on a baking sheet, but next year I think I'll take Create a Prim's advice and put them on the oven rack.)
Step 5) If you like, decorate the slices with glitter once the slices have cooled. Then, thread each slice onto a length of fishing line or ribbon. Now they can be hung on the tree.
If you liked this idea, just remember: dried apple slices make pretty Christmas decorations, too!
Orange and apple slices not only look beautiful -- they smell delicious as well! Be creative in how you use them. In addition to their most common role as tree ornaments, they can also be strung onto garlands, tossed into holiday potpourri, fastened onto Christmas wreaths, and arranged artfully on the holiday dining table.
Using dried fruits as Christmas ornaments is an old-timey tradition that's coming back into fashion. Why? They are simple to make, inexpensive, and naturally beautiful. As you hang them on the tree, think of your citrus slices as an antidote to the expensive and stressful shop-stravaganza that the holiday season has become. Enjoy!
Keeping CHRIST in Christmas..
I really enjoy this blog... So if you have time stop over and check it out... God Bless..
http://www.latter-dayhomeschooling.com/2011/12/our-family-christmas-traditionskeeping.html
http://www.latter-dayhomeschooling.com/2011/12/our-family-christmas-traditionskeeping.html
December 13, 2011
Our Family Christmas Traditions–Keeping CHRIST in Christmas
Keeping Christ in Christmas in this highly commercialized world can sometimes be a challenge. The hustle and bustle of the Christmas season can bring about feelings of stress, dread, financial woes, etc.. Making it at times quite difficult to feel the TRUE meaning of Christmas and it’s spirit.
I wanted to share with you some things that we do as a family to turn down the stress associated with the wonderful holiday season, and to increase it’s TRUE meaning and PURPOSE. Here are a few of our traditions that we look forward to every year!
SIMPLE DECORATIONS
Now for many, decorating for Christmas is an enjoyable thing, but for me, it’s stressful! So we keep decorating simple. We have a few strands of lights hung outside, a simple tree with kid safe ornaments, several kid safe nativity sets, a not-kid safe one HIGH on a shelf, a basket of Christmas books and some Christmas Beanie Babies, and 2 wreaths on the our front doors. The kids are involved in our decorating, and the nativity sets that are kid safe are a great reminder to them of what we are celebrating!
SIMPLE GIFT GIVINGMy husband and I both come from large families, and they just keep growing. So gift giving to family members can be a financial strain. When we were first married, we started giving each family a Christmas Ornament of some significance, typically something related to our year, or a family event. Theses are small, inexpensive ornaments that I typically purchase in packs of 12 for about $15. We love decorating our tree each year and remembering the meaning of the ornaments, who gave them, etc… and we hope that our family has found the same joy in the simple gifts we have given them each year.
Another way to limit spending (therefore relieving financial burdens often associated with Christmas) is to limit the gifts you give. In our home our children receive 3 gifts each, and a stocking. Jesus Christ received 3 gifts (one from each wise man), therefore that is what my children receive (from us). It’s also a great way to bring Christmas back to the TRUE meaning.
MINIMIZE SANTAWe do not do ‘Santa’ in our home. This was a choice that my husband felt strongly about before we had children, and I’ll admit this is the first year that it’s actually been hard to follow through with (now that my oldest son is 5). There is nothing wrong with doing Santa, if you choose to practice this tradition in your home. BUT try to maintain an emphasis on the TRUE meaning, it is far to easy for kids to get wrapped up in Christmas being about SANTA. Trying to explain to our children about Santa has proved slightly difficult, but I did find a great book that we read each year, which outlines the tradition of Santa, where it came from, why people do it and what the REAL meaning of Christmas is.
ADVENTWe do advent in a variety of ways. You may have seen my post on the Wooden Advent Tree I made, we fill it with some candy and a scripture to read each night.
For school we are doing DISCOVER CHIRSTMAS, we aren’t doing everything in the book, but we are at least doing the daily readings.
For school we are doing DISCOVER CHIRSTMAS, we aren’t doing everything in the book, but we are at least doing the daily readings.
THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS BOOKSThis is a new countdown we are just starting this year, this idea was branched off of a lesson given by our Bishop’s wonderful wife, her family does it for 25days. We will be doing a 12 days of Christmas BOOK countdown. Twelve Christmas books will be wrapped, and attached on the outside of each one will be a scripture verse and activity from the New Era Article “Advent Calendar: Prophecies of Christ’s Coming” from the Dec 2008 issue. (I had previously stocked up with Christmas themed books last year from Deseret Books after Christmas sales). Not all the books are spiritual themed, but most are.
SERVICEWe have always baked cookies to deliver to our neighbors, pulled an angel from a Christmas tree, donated to Toys for Tots and/or pulled a gift from the ward tree. In years past we have given anonymous donations to families we felt had a need. This year, some friends have asked us to go in on a 12 days of Christmas gifts program with them…and we are really excited! No matter how big or small; nothing says CHRISTmas like giving Christ-like service to others! I loved this idea that I found on Pinterest, and hope to maybe incorporate something similar next year (Advent and Service in ONE)!
SERVICEWe have always baked cookies to deliver to our neighbors, pulled an angel from a Christmas tree, donated to Toys for Tots and/or pulled a gift from the ward tree. In years past we have given anonymous donations to families we felt had a need. This year, some friends have asked us to go in on a 12 days of Christmas gifts program with them…and we are really excited! No matter how big or small; nothing says CHRISTmas like giving Christ-like service to others! I loved this idea that I found on Pinterest, and hope to maybe incorporate something similar next year (Advent and Service in ONE)!
CHRISTMAS EVEWe always watch Mr. Kruger’s Christmas and The Nativity on Christmas Eve, this year we are blessed for PBS Hawaii to broadcast The Mormon Tabernacle Choir with David Archuleta on Christmas Eve!
OTHER TRADITIONS (not necessarily spiritual, but still meaningful!)
A few other traditions we have is sending a yearly Christmas Letter, I won’t lie, this is mostly for us, we keep them each year with our Christmas Card picture; it makes a great little family history! The Christmas Card is another tradition, we have sent one every year, with a picture since we got married! These traditions go back to my Grandpa Hilsinger, after he passed I received copies of all his Christmas Letters past, it was such an amazing thing to read!
OTHER TRADITIONS (not necessarily spiritual, but still meaningful!)
A few other traditions we have is sending a yearly Christmas Letter, I won’t lie, this is mostly for us, we keep them each year with our Christmas Card picture; it makes a great little family history! The Christmas Card is another tradition, we have sent one every year, with a picture since we got married! These traditions go back to my Grandpa Hilsinger, after he passed I received copies of all his Christmas Letters past, it was such an amazing thing to read!
Personalized ornaments for the kids each year in their stockings! I have a handful of ornaments from my growing up that I brought with me, and I want my kids to be able to do the same! Their first Christmas they get 2, a brass one and another one, and they always have their name and the year.
Gingerdoole cookies....
Gingerdoodle Cookies
Now these would make a wonderful gift to put in some home made wrapping..
{Let’s make some cookies! Start out by creaming butter, sugar and brown sugar all together.
Mix in an egg,
vanilla,
and molasses.
Let the mixer whip the ingredients a minute or two until it lightens in color.
Now we’ll add in the flour,
baking soda,
and spices.
Mix the dough together just until all the dry ingredients are incorporated.
Now taste test it to make sure it’s good. I won’t tell.
Spoon out a heaping tablespoon,
roll it into a ball
and roll it in sugar.
Place in on a Silpat mat, greased cookie sheet or parchment paper.
Bake these off at 350 for 7 minutes or so. You want the outside to look sort of dry…like not shiny. Does that make sense. You might see the middle look a little squishy or ooey gooey, but that’s a good sign! Cool the cookies on the baking sheet about 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
These are pretty fabulous warm, but just as chewy and delicious cool. Add some nog and you got yourself a very festive treat!
Gingerdoodles
yield: 3 dozen
Print This RecipeIngredients:
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup molasses
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon cloves
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup granulated sugar, for rolling
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Cream butter and sugars together until light and fluffy. Stir in egg, vanilla and molasses. Whip 1-2 minutes or until it turns a light brown color. Stir in remaining ingredients and mix until dry ingredients are just combined.
Roll a heaping tablespoon of dough into a ball and coat in granulated sugar. Place on silicone baking mat, lightly greased cookie sheet or parchment paper lined cookie sheet.
Bake 7-9 minutes or until outside looks cooked but inside is still soft and gooey. Cool 5 minutes on cookie sheet before transferring to cooling rack.
Serve warm or at room temperature. Store in an airtight container until ready to serve
http://www.laurenslatest.com/gingerdoodle-cookies/
A true friend
A true friend can multiply your joy and divide our sorrow.
In your lifetime you will have thousands of acquaintances, hundreds of colleague's, and dozens of neighbors. But you will have only a few friends. That's not to say that you won't have lots of friendships. Some people make friends easily. You might be the kind of person who never met a stranger.
Don't confuse a casual friendships with a true friend. Even the friendliest person has only a few true friends, defined by honesty, loyalty, and sacrifice. A true friend possesses these qualities, whereas fair- weather friends disappear when you experience setbacks or don't give them what they need.
With that in mind, we're going to tell you the name of your best friend. You already know as well. His name is Jesus. He will never leave you, He will never forsake you, and He has already made the supreme sacrifice for you.
"I no longer call you servants, because a master doesn't confide in his servants.
Now you are my friends,
since I have told you everything the Father told me,"
JOHN 15:15
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Kate Mathis
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
